Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, disclosed on Tuesday that around 40,000 Pakistani Zaireen (pilgrims) who traveled to Iraq, Iran, and Syria in recent years have not returned. At a press conference, the minister admitted that the government has no official record of their whereabouts, emphasizing the need for a structured monitoring system.
The governments of Iran, Iraq, and Syria have previously expressed concerns over unaccounted Pakistani pilgrims. Historically, many Zaireen visited these countries individually or through informal groups, leaving no official trail. This lack of registration led to security risks and complaints from host nations, prompting Pakistan to take action.
To address these challenges, Pakistan has introduced a centralized system requiring all pilgrimage organizers to register with the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Over 1,400 companies have already applied to become authorized Zaireen Group Organizers (ZGOs). The outdated system will soon be replaced to ensure better oversight and pilgrim safety.
Additionally, Minister Yousuf revealed that Pakistan has requested Saudi Arabia to increase its Hajj quota from 179,000 to 230,000, aligning with the country’s population growth. The new pilgrimage framework aims to bring transparency, security, and efficiency to religious travels while preventing future disappearances.